The Catholic Nicene Creed

This is the Catholic Nicene Creed, as used in the Roman Catholic Church’s liturgy.

This creed is usually called just the “Nicene Creed.” It is also called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, after its origin in the first two Church ecumenical Councils in 325 and 381.

The Catholic Nicene Creed is one of the creeds that can be found in the Handbook of Prayers edited by James Socias.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation,
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge
the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he
is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic
and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

The Catechism has a side-by-side comparison of the Catholic Nicene Creed with the Apostles Creed (the link is to that Catechism page on the Vatican’s website).

Be sure to see the Athanasian Creed, too. Though lesser-known, it’s unique in its detailed and beautiful description of the Holy Trinity.

The Apostles Creed and the Catholic Nicene Creed are the most common creeds used in the daily life of the Roman Catholic Church.